25 All-Time Best Gas Cars by MPG

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been rating the fuel mileage of cars since 1984. Revisions have been made to the fuel mileage calculations in recent years to show the most accurate numbers for real-life driving. The figures have also been updated on the older models so you can compare the EPA miles per gallon (MPG) rating.

Over the last 27 years, these cars made the top 25 list of EPA-rated regular gasoline or hybrid vehicles. The cars on this list are ranked by the combined city and highway fuel economy. Along with each car, learn the city and highway MPG, engine size, transmission type and other fun facts. To find out more information about the following high mileage cars or to look up the fuel mileage of your own car, go to fueleconomy.gov.

This is the third model of the Prius sold in the United States, and unlike other high fuel mileage cars, it does better in the city then on the highway. Get the inside scoop on what makes this model differ from previous versions by reading Plug-In Prius Test Drive.

Photo by TOYOTA

3. 1986 Chevrolet Sprint ER

Combined MPG: 48

City MPG: 44

Highway MPG: 53

Cylinders: 3

Engine Size in Liters: 1

Transmission: Manual

Similar Models: 1985, 1987-1988

This lightweight Chevrolet was a Sprint with additional features, such as a light indicating the ideal time to shift.

Photo by GENERAL MOTORS

4. 1994 Geo Metro XFI

Combined MPG: 47

City MPG: 43

Highway MPG: 52

Cylinders: 3

Engine Size in Liters: 1

Transmission: Manual

Similar Models: 1989-1993

This Geo Metro aimed for high fuel mileage, but deleted amenities such as the passenger mirror in the process.

Photo by GENERAL MOTORS

5. 1986 Honda Civic Coupe HF

Combined MPG: 46

City MPG: 42

Highway MPG: 51

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.5

Transmission: Manual

Similar Models: 1984-1985, 1987-1990

The HF stands for High Fuel economy, and that is exactly what Honda wanted from this coupe, nearly a decade before hybrids were introduced.

Photo byHONDA

6. 1995 Honda Civic HB VX

Combined MPG: 43

City MPG: 39

Highway MPG: 50

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.5

Transmission: Manual

Similar Models: 1992-1994

Another Honda Civic makes the list. This VX was the new HF in this fifth generation Honda Civic.The HF stands for High Fuel economy, and that is exactly what Honda wanted from this coupe, nearly a decade before hybrids were introduced. Honda has a long history of mileage, check out Honda's High Mileage Club to learn more.

Photo by HONDA

7. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

Combined MPG: 42

City MPG: 40

Highway MPG: 45

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.3

Transmission: Automatic

Similar Models: 2003-2009

Based on the seventh generation Honda Civic, this first generation Honda Civic Hybrid hit the U.S. market in 2002. To learn how to get the most efficiency from your hybrid, read How to Drive a Hybrid for Maximum MPG.

Photo by HONDA

8. 1985 Pontiac Firefly

Combined MPG: 42

City MPG: 39

Highway MPG: 47

Cylinders: 3

Engine Size in Liters: 1

Transmission: Manual

Haven’t heard of the Pontiac Firefly? That is because this car was only sold in Canada and the Middle East from 1985 to 2001.

The second generation of the Suzuki Swift started in 1989 and ended in 1994.

14. 1996 Geo Metro

Combined MPG: 40

City MPG: 37

Highway MPG: 44

Cylinders: 3

Engine Size in Liters: 1

Transmission: Manual

This third generation Geo Metro sold in both sedan and hatchback models and only sold in the U.S market.

Photo byGENERAL MOTORS

15. 2010 Ford Fushion Hybrid FWD

Combined MPG: 39

City MPG: 41

Highway MPG: 36

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 2.5

Transmission: Automatic

Ford’s first hybrid mid-sized sedan came out alongside the Mercury Milan hybrid. Interested in how hybrid technology works? Check out How Hybrid Cars Work to learn how gasoline and electicity power this vehicle.

Photo by FORD MOTOR CO

16. 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Combined MPG: 39

City MPG: 41

Highway MPG: 36

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 2.5

Transmission: Automatic

Mirroring the Ford Fusion hybrid, buyers of this car could qualify for $3,400 tax credit. Learn more about these new hybrids from Ford and about the tax credit in New Hybrid Sedans from Ford.

Photo by FORD MOTOR CO

Photo not available.

17. 1987 Suzuki Forsa

Combined MPG: 39

City MPG: 36

Highway MPG: 43

Cylinders: 3

Engine Size in Liters: 1

Transmission: Manual

Similar Model: 1988

Marketed in Ecuador, Chile, Canada and the USA (minimally) from 1985 to 1988, the Suzuki Forsa was the first generation Suzuki Cutlas.

18. 1992 Honda Civic

Combined MPG: 38

City MPG: 35

Highway MPG: 43

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.5

Transmission: Manual

Similar Model: 1993

Yes, another civic makes the list. This fifth generation Honda Civic had increased dimensions and a more aerodynamic style.

Photo by HONDA

19. 1999 Chevrolet Metro

Combined MPG: 37

City MPG: 34

Highway MPG: 42

Cylinders: 3

Engine Size in Liters: 1

Transmission: Manual

This Chevrolet Metro only sold in the U.S. market from 1998 to 2001.

Photo by GENERAL MOTORS

20. 1992 Geo Metro LSI Convertible

Combined MPG: 36

City MPG: 33

Highway MPG: 40

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.3

Transmission: Manual

Even the luxury of having a convertible could be fuel efficient with the Geo Metro LSI Convertible.

Photo by GENERAL MOTORS

21. 1984 Toyota Starlet

Combined MPG: 36

City MPG: 33

Highway MPG: 40

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.3

Transmission: Manual

Sold in the United States from 1981 to 1984, this was the first Toyota extensively sold outside of Japan.

Photo by TOYOTA

Photo not available.

22. 1989 Suzuki Swift GA

Combined MPG: 36

City MPG: 33

Highway MPG: 40

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.3

Transmission: Manual

This second generation Suzuki Swift was sold primarily in Europe and Australia.

23. 2010 Lexus HS 250h

Combined MPG: 35

City MPG: 35

Highway MPG: 34

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 2.4

Transmission: Automatic

The HS 250h is Lexus’s first hybrid, offering more luxury and space than other hybrids on the market.

Photo by TOYOTA

24. 1985 Isuzu 750C/I-Mark

Combined MPG: 35

City MPG: 32

Highway MPG: 39

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.5

Transmission: Manual

This is the R-body Isuzu Gemini, sold in the United States by the name of the I-Mark.

Photo by GENERAL MOTORS

25. 1988 Ford Festiva

Combined MPG: 35

City MPG: 33

Highway MPG: 39

Cylinders: 4

Engine Size in Liters: 1.3

Transmission: Manual

The first generation Ford Festiva sold well in the United States but had to compete with the Yugo.

Photo byFORD MOTOR CO

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